Wow - what a trip seeing this album! I actually remember seeing this band in 1971 at our local teen center in Carlisle PA. What engrained them in my mind all these years was their live cover of Jethro Tull's "Back To the Family" with a violin solo instead of flute. It was great! Thanks for ULing this.
Fred have published during his lifetime only a single ("Salvation Lady" / "a love song"). Another sorts, in the 4 years professionally with cut material disappeared in the drawer. On a lucky (for all) was discovered in a German flea market by World In Sound, an record label and shortly after, their music catalog was re-released. In the new millennium appeared two archive CDs with studio recordings from fred. While "Notes on a Picnic" includes pieces recorded 1973-74 in New York, including the 2001 self-titled debut CD appeared the band older material which was eventually recorded 1971-73. The sound quality is good, but sometimes it rushes a little tape or are there slight disturbances.
Procol Harum, Frank Zappa, Jethro Tull, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, King Crimson, Traffic and dive on in there written by DeChristopher Beihefttext. Actually, I can not this band from the music by fred hear (most probably Jethro Tull - from time to time). Jazz rock music a la Mahavishnu Orchestra was found in the band's music to some places until 1973, such as "Notes on a Picnic" and the live album "Live at The Bitter End" show. To "Fred" however, there is to hear a still rooted in the 60s, psychedelic-relaxed Protoprog reminiscent occasionally to the music of various West Coast formations (Quicksilver, Jeffersson Airplane, Iron Butterfly), which is at the same time characterized by a slightly angejazzte atmosphere and the violin with Roses gets quite personal note. Longer, complex numbers here mostly presented living from the varied interplay of keys (organ, piano, electric piano, harpsichord), fuzziger electric guitar and violin, Rose enriched with pleasant vocals and driven by the rhythm section laid-loosely be . There folky-rock influences it (the beautiful "By the Way" - with appropriate fiddling), mildly psychedelic guitar escapades and now and then all right jazz rock objections (in the second half of "a love song" and "Wind Words" for example).
"Fred" is a very nice album with almost forgotten music from the early days of the U.S. Prog, which is recommended to all those with a mixture of psychedelic bluesy West Coast sounds, (Caravan) and Jethro Tull (without flute, but violin), equipped with a small shot of Zappa, can imagine!
"brilliant" drew my attention. I like that kind of flag. A cross between the Grateful Dead and CSN&Y. What a heavy sound and vibe! While sounding totally original. Much thanks. You are crazy kind!
As corny as it sounds, thanks for introducing me to Fred. I seem to be the odd man out here, apparently the only among the comments to have not previously been aware of, or heard Fred, but I've now joined the ranks of the converted. My thanks to you.
Highly recommended. This is a fantastic cd. Thankx for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Marios, for this rare opportunity to listen to this album once again. May your tribe increase!
ReplyDeleteA true treasure of disk. All songs are great, but "By the way", with a touch acid and melancholy, I love it. A true gem, of course. Thanks Marios
ReplyDeleteΠολύ καλό άλμπουμ, δεν τους είχα ακούσει.
ReplyDeleteGo DAD... aka Ken! :-D
ReplyDeletethank you for taking time to give a history of the band, and the times surrounding the recordings. Very good blog thank you
ReplyDeleteGreat as always! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWow - what a trip seeing this album! I actually remember seeing this band in 1971 at our local teen center in Carlisle PA. What engrained them in my mind all these years was their live cover of Jethro Tull's "Back To the Family" with a violin solo instead of flute. It was great! Thanks for ULing this.
ReplyDeleteΦΑΝΤΑΣΤΙΚΟ POST ΦΙΛΕ ΜΑΡΙΕ!
ReplyDeleteΠΑΡΑΚΛΗΣΗ ΑΝ ΥΠΑΡΧΕΙ ΤΟ FRED - LIVE AT THE BITTER END ΑΠΟ WORLD IN SOUND..
ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΩ
ΝΙΚΟΣ
Thanks very much, Marios!
ReplyDeleteFred have published during his lifetime only a single ("Salvation Lady" / "a love song"). Another sorts, in the 4 years professionally with cut material disappeared in the drawer. On a lucky (for all) was discovered in a German flea market by World In Sound, an record label and shortly after, their music catalog was re-released.
ReplyDeleteIn the new millennium appeared two archive CDs with studio recordings from fred. While "Notes on a Picnic" includes pieces recorded 1973-74 in New York, including the 2001 self-titled debut CD appeared the band older material which was eventually recorded 1971-73. The sound quality is good, but sometimes it rushes a little tape or are there slight disturbances.
Procol Harum, Frank Zappa, Jethro Tull, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, King Crimson, Traffic and dive on in there written by DeChristopher Beihefttext. Actually, I can not this band from the music by fred hear (most probably Jethro Tull - from time to time). Jazz rock music a la Mahavishnu Orchestra was found in the band's music to some places until 1973, such as "Notes on a Picnic" and the live album "Live at The Bitter End" show. To "Fred" however, there is to hear a still rooted in the 60s, psychedelic-relaxed Protoprog reminiscent occasionally to the music of various West Coast formations (Quicksilver, Jeffersson Airplane, Iron Butterfly), which is at the same time characterized by a slightly angejazzte atmosphere and the violin with Roses gets quite personal note. Longer, complex numbers here mostly presented living from the varied interplay of keys (organ, piano, electric piano, harpsichord), fuzziger electric guitar and violin, Rose enriched with pleasant vocals and driven by the rhythm section laid-loosely be . There folky-rock influences it (the beautiful "By the Way" - with appropriate fiddling), mildly psychedelic guitar escapades and now and then all right jazz rock objections (in the second half of "a love song" and "Wind Words" for example).
"Fred" is a very nice album with almost forgotten music from the early days of the U.S. Prog, which is recommended to all those with a mixture of psychedelic bluesy West Coast sounds, (Caravan) and Jethro Tull (without flute, but violin), equipped with a small shot of Zappa, can imagine!
Thx Marios!
"brilliant" drew my attention. I like that kind of flag. A cross between the Grateful Dead and CSN&Y. What a heavy sound and vibe! While sounding totally original. Much thanks. You are crazy kind!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. Keep up good work. Best regards.
ReplyDeleteThank you ever so much Marios. Keep on Rockin'.
ReplyDeleteMarios veľmi pekne ďakujem.
ReplyDeleteAmazing that this is so little known. Thanks very much!
ReplyDeleteMarios...
ReplyDeleteAs corny as it sounds, thanks for introducing me to Fred. I seem to be the odd man out here, apparently the only among the comments to have not previously been aware of, or heard Fred, but I've now joined the ranks of the converted. My thanks to you.
May I ask you to re-up this one and the "Live at The Bitter End" cd?
ReplyDeleteMany thanks in advance!!
I just found out about that band and I am love with the four evenings song. Is there a way I can have the lyrics?
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing this great album marios
ReplyDelete